Parents accused of non-accidental injury of their child

Children – Public Law

29 November 2023

Louisa acted for a parent suspected of causing a non-accidental injury to their child, who had sustained a fractured leg and bruising.

This case required Louisa to:

  • sensitively manage the emotional issues of the case
  • identify and instruct appropriate medical experts, given a family history of medical conditions that may have provided some alternative explanation for the injuries

She was able to ensure that the child remained with extended family members whilst medical experts were consulted.

Louisa’s client was exonerated from having caused the injuries. The family was eventually reunited after risk assessments and therapeutic work were commissioned following the fact-finding hearing, with a family plan that provided sufficient child protection devised in partnership with the local authority.

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